The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered a continuous investigation to unravel the cause of death of a 17-year-old, apprentice, who was reportedly found lifeless in a compound at Umuzocha, Awka South Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, syayed on Monday in a statement that the incident happened on October 5 and the command received the report same day.
Ikenga stated that although the family of the deceased, identified as Chikamso Ejiofor, had expressed their decision not to pursue the case, the CP had directed the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka to continue a thorough review of the incident to determine the actual cause of death.
The statement read in part, “The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikoye Orutugu, has directed a continuous and discreet investigation to ascertain the true cause of death of a 17-year-old apprentice, who was reportedly found lifeless in a compound at Umuzocha, Awka.
“Preliminary information revealed that on October 5, 2025, at about 10.55am, the command received a report from a complainant that upon returning from a church vigil on same day she discovered the motionless body of an unidentified young man in her compound.
“Following the report, police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Awka promptly visited the scene, took photographs, and conveyed the victim to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“Further investigation led to the identification of the deceased as Chikamso Ejiofor, aged 17 years, an apprentice. The parents of the deceased were subsequently traced and informed of the incident, but they voluntarily expressed their decision not to pursue the case further, citing their awareness of the deceased’s alleged unruly behaviour.
“They have since sworn an affidavit and submitted a formal withdrawal letter to that effect.”
According to Ikenga, the CP while acknowledging the family’s position, reiterated that the command has a statutory responsibility to investigate all unnatural deaths to ensure that justice and transparency are served.
“He directed the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka to continue a thorough review of the incident to determine the actual cause of death,” the statement added.
PUNCH.
